Yamada flew into the Citadel, terrifying the citizens, mages and knights, as he soared down to the Blesseds. Ul'lanna had fallen unconscious over his shoulder. He carried her nodachi in his mouth, and Harbinger in his free arm. The Blesseds rushed out, and then stopped giving Yamada a concerned and anxious look. He held a bloodied Elf warrior, and his armour soaked in blood and guts, but most of all he wore a too gleeful smile. "Help her. I have to go and find King En-" On cue, Encara emerged from a blinding light in front of Yamada. "What happened? Are you okay?" He asked looking him up and down with a worried face. "I feel amazing. I killed a son of Begron. They have one million soldiers coming to attack us." Yamada said in a euphoric trance. Encara and the Blesseds standing around, shook their heads in disbelief. Before they could press him further, Yamada took off towards the Keep.
"Alright, we're not gonna get anywhere with him. Get her inside." Encara said following after the Blesseds. They laid her onto the table, quickly stripping her off the dirty clothes, draping a clean sheet over her. A Blessed woman stared at Ul'lanna mortified at the gushing blood. "She's lost too much blood, but she isn't pale, or blue. How is this possible?" She asked, deftly tying off her limbs. Encara smirked. Yamada had unknowingly been creating more blood inside of her. He saved her life with an ability that any Blessed would be envious to have. Encara clapped his hands together branding Ul'lanna. "Focus on making new skin, I'll recreate the new bones and muscle." He ordered. One of the Blessed men, held a large cleaver grabbing Ul'lanna's wrist. Encara nodded and the man let out a grunt hacking off her hand.
Blood gushed out, Ul'lanna writhed even in an unconscious state. Encara stared intently at her stump, letting the golden cross cover it. Her bones came first, followed by the veins and arteries. The other Blesseds watched in awe as Encara demonstrated how he earned his title. He had recreated an entirely new hand, in a matter of seconds, and barely seemed bothered. He snatched the cleaver out of the man's hand and quickly hacked off her foot. Encara paid them no attention, as he effortlessly recreated her foot. By the time they finished creating her new skin, Encara walked away having completed the foot. "Let me know, when she's awake."
Yamada on the way had disposed of his armour and cleaned himself. He entered into the kitchen still dripping from the water. Gwyneth quickly recomposed herself in front of him, clearing her throat. "Yamada, how did you train-" He marched towards her, pressing his lips against hers. Soel and Aeris reeled back, watching Gwyneth melt. Yamada picked her up and wrapping his arms around her ass, walking into the room. The door slammed shut behind them. Soel and Aeris sat there stunned. "Well...that was unexpected." Soel said. "I think we should leave." Aeris said clearly uncomfortable. "Why, it's not like we can hear-" A solid thud echoed out into the room, followed by another. "Okay, let's go." Soel said quickly standing up with Aeris following her out.
Night had come. Jacara still felt a kink in his shoulder. He growled and rolled his shoulder walking towards the Blesseds' house. "Stupid Islander. Stupid idiot strength." He muttered to himself angrily. "I'd be amazing too, if I was crazy enough to merge my soul with a Draken." He said derisively. Jacara barged into the house. He looked around curious to see no Blesseds around. A door set ajar caught his attention. He peeked in seeing a woman's hand, hanging from underneath a cloth. Jacara looked around, before sneaking in. He wore a perverted smirk, and rubbed his hands together eagerly. Jacara cocked his head to the side.
Ul'lanna even asleep, struck Jacara to his core. She was the most beautiful person he had ever seen. He gawked at the sight of her, mesmerised by every feature. He suddenly felt someone touch his foot, and with a clap the two of them disappeared. Jacara appeared in his room looking around confused. "Stay put." Encara ordered, before disappearing in flash of light. He fell onto his bed shielding his eyes. Jacara quickly left the room rushing down to the Blesseds. He had to see who this woman was. Ul'lanna shot up, looking around anxious and scared, hugging the cloth tightly.
She gazed at her hand and foot astonished. How long had she been unconscious for? It had to be at least months, for her to have a new hand and foot. Encara emerged into the room. Ul'lanna froze in place, her heart stopped. She had only heard stories of the silver haired man who wore a magenta cloak. The King of Blessings and Curses, Encara Cagim, they called him. She knew him by another name. The thousand hand Draken. Encara stood over her, his eyes pierced her soul, and she took a gulp. He gently placed a stack of new clothing for her. "Get dressed." His sincere voice, caught her off guard. She didn't move and took a gulp of saliva. He snickered, before giving her a warm smile. "I'm sure you have a different mental picture of us. But please get dressed, we have much to discuss." He said warmly. "Have they already reached here?" She asked hesitantly, her voice shaking. "No, it has only been a few hours since, Yamada brought you here to the Citadel." Encara said walking out of the room.
A wave of relief washed over as the door closed behind him. She knew the name of the man who saved her, and she had made it to the Citadel. Ul'lanna then frowned and cocked her head to the side as she slipped on her shirt. Did he say a few hours? She quickly got dressed and ran out the door holding up her new hand. "What do you mean it's only been a few hours!?" She exclaimed. "This hand was destroyed, it would have taken months, and nearly a hundred session to-" She stopped seeing Encara smile at her. "You...your really a King at it..." She said stunned. "I understand this is a lot to take in, but I need you to take a breath. There's a lot we must discuss." He said placing a hand on her shoulder.
She nodded taking a deep breath. "I understand, we should hurry to-" Encara placed his foot atop of hers, and he clapped his hands. With a blinding flash of light, she appeared in the throne room. "Tooooo-" She continued looking around confused. He could use light magic as well? Encara walked away and sat down in a large throne. Ul'lanna suddenly realised where she was, and those glaring at her. The six grand knights and mages sat around her. She began to physically tremble in front of them. Vexgar lurched forward his heavy armour clinked against the wooden table. Ul'lanna flinched. "Were you the one who sent us the message?" Urkse asked, stroking his beard. She nodded anxiously. "Why would you do such a thing?" Lyn asked.
"I had to warn you of our attack. That we were coming." Soel cleared her throat. Her emerald cloak made Ul'lanna take a step back. The Mountain mage was staring her down. Soel opened the Earth gate, beneath Ul'lanna. "I do not care for your intentions. I want to know the details of this army. How big it is, when you think they're are coming, and how strong they." She said raising her hand into the air. Rock pillars shot out encasing Ul'lanna. "If you lie, I will turn you to mush, and have Encara heal you again to die another slow death." She growled.
"One million soldiers. Kal'Nar has raised an army of one million." Ul'lanna said defiantly. "How is that possible?" Aeris asked. "When we war the won, Kal'Nar was all but decimated." "They've been breeding us. They paid for healers from the Silver City, to help women breed faster. When their womb is full, they are cut out, and given another to be bred again." Ul'lanna said, the disgust and anger in her voice showed. "All of those soldiers at best would be children. What is there to fear about that?" Fervias asked. "We make up roughly 800,000 of those soldiers." Ul'lanna said. All of them held their breaths waiting for her to finish. "Ataraxus and Tuskdran, have supplied 100,000 sell swords, and sorcerers each."
Vexgar slammed his fists onto the table, making Ul'lanna jump. "I knew we should have killed them all! This is your fault Encara!" He bellowed. "Soel, if he speaks out of line again, kill him." Encara growled. He let out a sigh. "Do you know why they have chosen to attack now? 500,000 soldiers would have been enough to overwhelm us. Why now?" He asked. "I don't know. The king and queen, said they finally discovered the secret to the weapon. And that now is the time to strike." She said looking frantically around. A pair of piercing lilac eyes, above a euphoric smile, caught her attention.
"This weapon, did it come from Yamata?" Encara asked. "I don't know. Can I ask why she won't stop smiling at me?" Ul'lanna asked trying to shy away in her earthen tomb. "Ignore her, she's been smiling like that, ever since Yamada saved you." Soel said shaking her head. Ul'lanna took a closer glance Gwyneth, she was smiling in a euphoric trance. "Yamada...he's the boy that saved me." She said, with his roar sending a tingle down her spine. Her hairs stood on end, and skin bumped. "Did he really kill a Commander?" Yssac asked. "Yes." She said. Rai scoffed. "If that boy can kill one so easily. Why are we even bothering, with hiding or training scouts?" He snapped. Ul'lanna did not recognize this mage. She had always been told that there were seven grand knights that guarded five grand mages. This mage was incredibly young and arrogant.
"Then go and scout first." Encara commanded. It caught the others by surprise. "I'm sick and tired, of having to tell you the difference between us." He sighed. "Go, and end the war Rai." Encara said waving him off. Rai stood up scowling at Encara. "Fine. I'll be back with all their charred corpses." He said proudly storming out. "Is it wise to be losing allies?" Cin asked. "No, but I'd rather have someone pour acid into my ears, before hearing him boast again." Encara said rubbing his head. The others all agreed to Ul'lanna's surprise. "That boy, Yamada...is he okay? Like...in the head?" She asked hesitantly. "What do you mean?" Gwyneth asked, her low tone, made Ul'lanna hold her breath.
"He seemed knightly when he came to me, but then-" "He was a survivor of Begron's attack on Yamata." Gwyneth interrupted, her smile disappearing. "A survivor?" Ul'lanna asked. "He may have come to your aid as a knight. However when he was six, he watched Begron kill his mother in front of him." She growled. "Does that mean he saw the monster?" Ul'lanna asked lurching forward. The question made them all look at her askance. "The monster?" Encara asked. She looked at them confused. How could they not have heard of the monster on Yamata. "You don't think it's weird that, Begron has not been seen on the battlefield in years?" She asked. All of them shared a concerned glance. "We assumed, that my involvement had something to do with his disappearance." Cin said.
"He's spoken of how he shot down a crimson Ryū, with three arrows, and how he escaped with barely a scald." Everyone craned their heads slowly to Cin, who started to blush. "I was in my Draken state for almost half a day. You can't expect me to remember everything that happened." He said shying away. Encara sighed. "Please tell us what happened...We haven't gotten your name yet." He said grimacing. "It's Ul'lanna." She said confidently. Urkse rolled his hand in the air waiting for her to finish. "I don't have a family name." She said. They all cocked an eyebrow at her. "When your mother is being bred by over a hundred men, it's somewhat difficult to know who your family is." She said looking away irritated. Soel dropped the tomb, and blew out a long breath. "Alright, so that's disgusting." She sighed.
"If we asked you to kill your fellow members-" Ul'lanna glared up to the Axilas with fiery conviction. "I have over 50 half brother and sisters, thousands of cousins. Family means nothing to me. I just want to live a life away from those savages, and if I have to kill my entire family line to do so, I will." She growled. Axilas snickered and leant back in his chair with a proud smile. "Please tell us what happened to Begron." Aeris said. "He spoke of fighting a monster, one that had never been seen before. He called it Yamata's guardian. It nearly killed him, taking his arm and leg." Encara lurched forward. What could have existed on those Islands, strong enough to nearly kill Begron of all people. "What did this monster look like?" Vexgar asked, with excitement in his voice. "He said it was dark, but the creature hissed before it attacked him, and that it had eight heads."
Vexgar was the first to break out in a guffaw, with the others snickering along, except for Encara. "An eight headed creature? So it was a big spider or octopus?" Fervias said derisively. "I don't know, but whatever that creature was, has terrified Begron ever since." She said.
"You should also know that, there is a spy amongst you." Ul'lanna said. "Yes, we believe it to be that young idiot, who just stormed off." Urkse said. It caught her by surprise. "He'll return dead from getting in over his head, or he'll come back to die by our hands. Either way we're rid of that annoying idiot." Axilas said with the others nodding along. "Then I have nothing else to offer, and I want to talk with-" Vexgar broke the table in front of him with a slam of his fists. "YOU ARE NOT IN THE POSITION TO ASK FOR ANYTHING ELF!" He bellowed. Ul'lanna jumped back stumbling away, her heart leaping at her chest. "Your people have done nothing but cause us misery. The fact I haven't crushed your head should be a big enough reward." He snarled.
Vexgar kicked the wooden splinters away lumbering towards her. He suddenly stopped, struggling to move as if something was pulling on him. "Axilas." Soel said curtly. "Take your brother outside, before I turn him into a paste." She said glaring at him. "Vex, stand down. We have the information we need. We'll have plenty of elves to kill soon." He said walking out. Vexgar snarled and spat. Soel released her grip and the gate disappeared. He snorted and walked out of the room. Lyn, Fervias and Yssac followed them out in silence. "I apologise for them. But you can understand our relationship with your kingdom has been...difficult." Aeris said. "What did you want?" She asked with a warm smile. "The Forsaken Knight, I want to thank him." She said trembling.
"Very well, follow me." Gwyneth said walking out of the room. Ul'lanna was silent with the other grand mages staring at her. "Are you coming or not!?" She called out angrily. Ul'lanna scrambled to her feet following her outside. She gazed at the beauty of the Citadel in awe. "Gawk, later. It's late and I want to sleep." Gwyneth said picking up the pace. Ul'lanna followed, the beauty of the Citadel wasn't the only thing enthralling her. Even lit by dim candle or the moon light, she could tell Gwyneth was beyond beautiful. "When you met him. You should know to avoid the name Begron. It...changes him." She said reluctantly. The change in him, clearly hurt her. "I'll avoid it. I simply want to thank him, for saving my life and from being..." She shied away. "There's no need to say it. You should also know he's uncomfortable around beautiful women."
Ul'lanna cocked an eyebrow following her. "May I ask what your relationship is with him?" Gwyneth choked and quickly cleared her throat. "He is my squire and am I the knight teaching him." She said hiding her flushed face. They entered into the chamber, the handmaidens all scowled at Ul'lanna. "Where is Yamada?" She asked. "Courtyard." They hissed. Ul'lanna noticed Harbinger gently resting against the wall, as she followed Gwyneth down. The great sword had a menacing form, it exuded the message of power and strength. They entered into the courtyard lit by several lanterns. Yamada stood in the centre with only his leather trousers on, practicing his deft and agile footwork. His body glistened with sweat under the moon light.
"Yamada, I told you that it's important to rest." Gwyneth ordered. He stopped and smiled at her. "Sorry, Gwen. I just have too much energy, I needed to get rid of it." He said bouncing up and down. Ul'lanna this time noticed Gwyneth shy away and blush. "You're okay." He said approaching them. "I was really worried, that I couldn't fly you back in time. There was so much blood gushing out, and I can't really control that form too well." His sincere and apologetic tone earned him a confused look from Ul'lanna. He suddenly went red shying away, before quickly bowing his head. "I'm incredibly sorry that I saw and touched your body. I didn't have anything to cover you up with."
Ul'lanna was astonished. He was adorably earnest and bashful. This was not the person she saw. Could he have a twin? Could someone really change this much, when they became a Forsaken Knight. She giggled, covering her mouth with a hand. "That's okay, I forgive you." He perked up smiling at her, the moment she finished. She then slowly dropped to her knees, and bowed her head to the stone floor. "Thank you for saving me." She said starting to sob. Tears streaming down her eyes. "Even though I'm an Elf. That you hate me and that I ruined-" She was suddenly lifted high into the air, above his head.. Gwyneth stared at Yamada stunned. He had raised into the air, purely using Arcane energy. "You're not Begron. You're not the Elves who killed my people. Why would I hate you?" He asked cocking his head to the side. "But-" She called out, suddenly being raised even higher.
"Put me down!" She cried out, flailing in the air. Yamada smiled at her. He took a breath gently lowering her down. She pouted, her face flushed and frowned at him. "What was that about!?" she exclaimed getting into his face. "I don't want you crying for something that's not your fault." His words made Ul'lanna freeze. Why was he so kind? How could he be so kind? "I'm going to go take a bath." He said walking away and kissing Gwyneth on the cheek. "Not in front of the stranger." Gwyneth whispered. Ul'lanna's incredulous stare was met with Gwyneth's scowl, making her shrink.
Yamada came back still full of energy. "Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. Your big sword is with Abaddon. He didn't seem very happy to see it. Said something about it being impure. Also, people around here stare a lot. If you feel uncomfortable, let me know and I'll transform a little. It seems to attract everyone's attention." He said smiling at her, before sauntering off. Ul'lanna was stunned and blinked rapidly trying to comprehend him. "He's a weird one." Gwyneth said watching him leave. "Very..." She said still baffled at the mystery that is Yamada. "Come, I'll show you to an empty room. We can't have you sleeping outside to be assassinated." Gwyneth said marching off. "Thank you..." Ul'lanna trailed off realising she had not learned her name. "It's Gwyneth." She said.
Ul'lanna froze. The lilac eyes, the long sword on her cape, and the blonde hair. This was Gwyneth Lockhart, the Butcher. The horror stories she had heard growing up. She was now standing next to her. Gwyneth turned around to see the terrified and frightened girl behind her. Frozen in fear and shock, staring down the living horror. "Are you afraid of me?" She asked solemnly. Ul'lanna slowly nodded all her muscles tensed. "You should know that all the stories you have heard of me, and all of the others in that room. Have been nothing but, watered down." She said softly and coldly with a smile. The shiver ran down her spine, her skin bumped. "Now, come on. Time to get some sleep." She said sauntering off.